The antiques and collectibles market certainly has been reinvigorated with the popularity of television shows such as "Antiques Road Show," "Pickers," "Storage Wars," and "Pawn Stars" – a few of my personal favorites.

This upward trend hasn't been missed by Jeff Teller, president of Tel Phil Enterprises of the Orange County Market Place at the OC Fairgrounds.

Last week, Tel Phil premiered what most would assume is a new concept to the swap meet, the Orange County Antique Market.

Teller says the idea is actually an old one.

When the Market Place first started in 1969, it was called "Treasures and Trash." Vendors weren't selling new merchandise as they do today; it was more of a flea market.

"It's really a return to our roots," Teller says. "The Orange County Antique Market is something we've been talking about doing for a long time."

This new addition to the swap meet is part of a re-branding of the Market Place, according to Teller.

Antique Market vendors had their own designated section Saturday.

Experts were on hand giving the public free appraisals of antiques.

Dave Hester of "Storage Wars" fame was there not only selling items, but also serving as auctioneer for a live auction that raised money for the local nonprofit Karma Camp in Costa Mesa.

Among the items auctioned was a portrait of Oprah Winfrey, which hung in the old CBS building.

Hester told me he was excited about the event and felt it was a success.

"There were tons of people milling around," he said.

As we spoke, Hester recalled the days when there were small antiques malls all over Orange County. And then the recession hit.

"Now you mostly find them in Old Town Orange," he said.

Hester says the Antique Market at the swap meet is just what Orange County needed.

But this wasn't a glorified garage sale. In order for vendors to qualify, dealers had to offer vintage collectibles that were 20 years or older and fill out an application online at ocantiquemarket.com.

Once approved, sellers paid a $110 fee to reserve an 18-by-22-foot-wide space. They also were given 10 free passes, a $10 meal voucher good at any concession stand and free beverages and snacks throughout the day.

So what were buyers clamoring for at the very first Orange County Antique Market?

I'm told among the hot items were jewelry, jackets and jumpsuits from the 1980s.

The swap meet at the OC Fairgrounds went back to its flea market roots on Saturday for the Orange County Antique Market. Photo by CLOVER HODGSON
Experts offered free appraisals at the Orange County Antique Market on Saturday. Photo by CLOVER HODGSON
Vendors' booths had all sorts of collectibles. Photo by CLOVER HODGSON
Storage Wars star Dave Hester auctioned off a portrait of Oprah Winfrey for charity. Photo by CLOVER HODGSON
Mid-century furniture was a hit at the event. Photo by CLOVER HODGSON

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